Ears Like a Hawke - Industry Happenings

Music Nostalgia

11/13/2014

Check out the Original Article from Slate here!

Why we love the music of our teen years (and in some cases, detested for quite a while and felt incredibly mature when we started to treat them as memories in stead of bitterness).

Well nostalgia, however you slice it, is "a neuronic command" according to this article, and yah know what? I get it. We're connected to the "high drama" of our youths like sick fools, and I love it.

This article is chock full of fun brain and music facts, which have become my favorite facts as of late (too bad I figured out how to combine Biology and Music PERFECTLY at the age of 26 instead of 16). Neurons sync to beats and lyrics help shift attention - how cool is that?? And you know the chemicals within us are the main source of it all. Because adolescence is when our brains are on overdrive in development, we're gaining imprints from this music more so then than ever.

This all seems obvious, I'm sure, but I still adore that there's an explanation. Check this article out for yourself, then get the High School Mega Mix pumping… even if you're like me and it's a bunch of Dashboard Confessional and Something Corporate that'll drive you to tears.

Fanmix Yourself

9/21/2014

Check out the original post we pulled this from on Tumblr!

Because we love lists! THAT'S how it qualifies as an 'Industry Happening.' Heh.

Thank you Jess - I'm FINALLY getting to this.

BT-Dubs, lots of Hanson here….

My mix. A song….

To Kick Zombie Ass to During the Apocalypse: "Welcome Home" - Coheed and Cambria"
You've Heard Live: "Stories" - Hanson (rare performance!)
Reminds You of Your Favorite Fictional Character: "Halloween" - Rent
Your Middle School/High School Anthem: "Ocean Avenue" - Yellowcard
Reminds You of Your Best Friend: "MMMBop" - Hanson
Would Play in the Movie Trailer of Your Life: "Girl All The Bad Guys Want" - Bowling For Soup [purely for lyrics, I don't believe it.]
Reminds You Of Somewhere: "Crazy Town" - Jason Aldean
From Last Year: "Wake Me Up" - Avicii
Color in the Title: "Red Guitar" - Kris Allen
Your Own Country's National Anthem: "Platinum" - Miranda Lambert
By An Artist You're Not-So-Secretly Crushing On: "Already Home" - Hanson
Reminds You of Your Favorite Season: Green Day - "Wake Me Up When September Ends"
Play When You Need to Go on a Crying Jag: "She Will Be Loved" - Maroon 5
You'd Like to Kiss To: "Kiss Me Slowly" - Parachute
With Lyrics You'd Like to Tattoo on Yourself: "World's On Fire" - Hanson

I Own 500+ CDs…

9/20/2014

Check out the original NPR Article!!

Seriously, I have three full CD wallets of CDs, Singles, and Burned Mixes, and I am currently in the process of listening through every single one of them. In the meantime, I still seem to accumulate more.

Now, granted, a big reason for this is that my car only plays CDs (no iPod hookup for me), and I need music while I drive. When I'm on a computer, I'm almost always about Spotify or YouTube for music consumption. I rarely, but do, purchase tracks off iTunes as well.

But my CDs are my pride and joy. I love artwork, I love having something in my hand, and I love the concept. I even wrote my entire senior thesis for Belmont about how CDs wouldn't go away. In my head, they haven't.

Then, I stumbled upon this article. They talk about information being stored, and I'm talking about my music. So now I want to know how to make them last because I don't think I can do this without them.

Oh and joy, there's no 'average' CD, so they just die off as they see fit. It's not like they're being made in droves anymore either.

And now, I am thoroughly depressed.

Let's Talk Parody

9/13/2014

Check out the Original Article on "Illusion of More" Here!

Something I love about licensing and copyright is the opportunity to educate others, as well as myself. In doing that, I try to share good write ups about various topics.

Plus, some things tend to come up more than others.

In this case, Weird Al was on TV, and my friend Amanda recently had been showing me the referenced Disney-based videos (within the article, seriously, go click it).

Jon Cozart has some great videos under his belt in this Disney run he's got going. But while he labels it a parody, the question remains - is that accurate? Well, a parody has to "lampoon" the original work itself, and writing new words to an old melody doesn't necessarily count. It's got to directly target the "content and soul" of the original.

That said - think about it - Weird Al is kind in his works, and not parodying for the most part. He brought new comedy to a familiar tune, but never made an attack on what the originals stood for (okay, maybe that's subject to opinion, but come on, you have to believe that a guy that fun wouldn't be so cruel). PS - that makes mechanical licensing necessary. Ha.

The Lorde video in question in this article, however, is a parody. It's a mock of the original. Fair use becomes an argument, which is slightly terrifying in a weird way.

I won't get into the "Girl" argument because I just can't express it as well as here. But I will go ahead and note that that first comment is awesome - the parody just has to be in part a comment on the original work. Oooohhh the objective arguments that could be had!

What are your opinions? This may be a conversation really worth diving deep into!

2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

4/5/2014

Happening April 10th
Broadcast on May 31st @ 9p on HBO

Whoa. Whoa whoa whoa. This is a helluva lineup.

For starters, here were the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees that didn't make the cut for induction this year:
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Chic
Deep Purple
Link Wray
LL Cool J
N.W.A
The Meters
The Replacements
Crow
Yes
The Zombies

And here are the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees (along with ceremony notes known as of now):
Peter Gabriel - performing; inducted by Chris Martin
Hall & Oates - performing; inducted by Questlove
Kiss - inducted by Tom Morello
Nirvana - inducted by Michael Stipe
Linda Ronstadt - inducted by Glenn Frey; Tribute from Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Cat Stevens - performing; inducted by TBD
Andrew Loog Oldham
Brian Epstein
E Street Band - inducted by Bruce Springsteen; performing

You can find more info on all of them here:
https://rockhall.com/inductees/ceremonies/2014/

What are y'all's thoughts? This sounds like a fantastic bunch to me!

2013 Music Industry Quotes

4/1/2014

Original Article

This is an article on Billboard that caught my eye during some of the year round-ups. Check them all out, but here are a few of my favorites. Let me know your thoughts!

"For Samsung and mobile in general to be a distribution center for music and a platform for music -- that is the future."
-Todd Pendleton, chief marketing officer for North America at Samsung

"This time feels less about any particular movement, and more about how young people are discovering music."
-Kevin Weatherly, senior VP of programming at CBS Radio

"Avicii's 'Wake Me Up!' has just enough EDM to make you feel like you're cool without trying too hard."
-Tom Poleman, president of national programming platforms at Clear Channel Radio

"People will buy at the point of inspiration if you make it really easy for them."
-Andrew Fisher, executive chairman of Shazam

Nifty How-To on Licensing

3/6/2014

Original Article

Solveig Whittle wrote what was voted one of the best articles of 2013 on Hypebot, first walking readers through his own experience in this area, saying "I thought it might be useful to share a walk through of my relatively cheap and easy experience securing the mechanical and synch licenses for both the audio and video files."

Relatively cheap ey? Keep reading folks, because it's really not that hard to follow the rules.

Reminder, as well - making money was NOT the goal here.

I'll let you read the article for yourselves, but one little note - if you're releasing digitally and it's not a limited download, and you sincerely think (hope) you're going to sell more than 2,500 copies, contact HFA and set up an eMechanical account. The trickiest thing about SongFile, as wonderful of a tool as it is, is that you have to give the total number of copies (under 2,500) you're going to sell - and you pay upfront for those, instead of royalties as sales are made. It's a catch-22 to be honest, but one worth considering when you're thinking about mechanicals.

Anywhos, just my own thoughts from experience. Check out the article - great, easy-to-interpret layout of how to do things the right way. It's actually harder to bend the rules, folks!

Article Commentary - "6 Things I Learned from Submitting My Music for the Grammys"

2/16/2014

Original Article Link

Being that I have a minor obsession with the Grammys (it was a source of pride from a young age to know the difference between "performance" and "song"), this article immediate caught my eye. What IS it like to submit for a Grammy? How do you even begin?

Joining the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (oh NARAS) is a dream of mine. I doubt it's difficult, but probably costs something… yeah, I should do some research. Orrrr, this article did it for me! Joy! You can be an associate (non-voting) member and attend amazing networking parties and events. To be a voting member though, you have to have 12 documentable released song credits, with at least one being in the last five years. Physical liners notes or the Allmusic database are what validates your claims - and that's it. Coming from someone who works in a data-based company, I have to reemphasize: make sure your metadata is entered correctly!

But let's look at things from the artist's perspective. Yes, promotions are more geared toward internet media now than ever. If your page doesn't have a Facebook link, you are way behind on the times. Between that and the simple subject of access, everyone can make music and put it out there. Good or bad. So, so bad.

Literally, to be nominated is an honor - and a huge PR boost! Who doesn't know that a Grammy means you're worth listening to? And to be nominated by your peers means something, which is exactly what that is.

Another interesting note was that nominated members could sort of, well, push for their votes. Send CD's, do media blasts… I figured that'd be illegal.

Committees are used for the first found in certain categories. And indies typically have better luck in less-crowded categories (not a big surprise there). You submit for the categories you want to me considered in; no one selects you from the bunch.

Overall, this article served it's purpose - I know WAY more about the process of voting and submitting than I did going in! And I love it. More knowledge is more power to make an effect on this insane industry that we love.

Grammys 2014 - Hawke Commentary

1/26/2014

Fair warning, this is totally ramblings form the night. But this year, so you get what I'm talking about, there are videos! =D

I had about 60 seconds heads up that this B/Jay thing was happening. AWESOME way to kick off the show!!

please stop dancing Taylor Swift
seeing them perform together is AMAZING

they are sooooo sweet

I still don't understand why LL Cool J hosts this
I love this speech, but come on. Why him?
And yes… we are cold here in NYC
KEITH URBAN
Wow, these shout outs to performers' roots is... awesome. Also THE BEATLES!!!! I'm already very close to tears. This is going to be wonderful!!
Okay, here we go!

why that hat Pharrell?
Anna's so funny, tehe

Best New Artist - very weird that this is so early in the show. I mean, Pepsi normally does hype ALL show for it. Also, Ed Sheeran has been around a while.
Also also, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - that was a given, right?

they clean up very nicely
his finance is so precious

Lorde. I still don't know if I like you.

her voice sounds shaky at the start - come on girl, you got this. She could be nervous, I would be
A friend of mine once said she looks like a witch. Stereotype, but yeah.
The song continually grows on me - so damn catchy

HUNTER HAYES

he's still so cute
and still can sing … I mean, maybe not this song, but it's there.
and… he moves? Away from the piano? Can hunter hayes do that?
They need to feature those quotes in the background a little more prominently. Messages people, come on!
WWE's Be a STAR campaign should get him on board!!

I am sad to say I don't know who these people are presenting Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

JT and Jay Z - just so we can see them on stage together, please
But, yah know, Daft Punk is Daft Punk. =)

I hope Katy launches into "Unconditionally" because I am not a fun of this song - as awesome as this set / costumes / dancers are

Please tell me the makers of "War Horse" made that dark horse.

I don't GET THIS!!! Chicago and Robin Thick?

oh I swear, if "Blurred Lines" comes on… (yes, I know it will. Sigh)
Just noticed the two stages - pretty cool
Robin's being too dominant here. Step back and let Chicago do the work, please.
Oh look, he plays piano too. joy
no Miley, so, there's that
GREAT comment from my friend Meg: "While I love Chicago and Blurred Lines is an addicting song that I've grown to like...don't ruin a classic with a song like Blurred Lines. I think it was an act to get everyone back In good graces with that song, tho VMAs ruined it for most."

KEITH URBAN

k, I'm back in my happy place now.
Gary Clark Jr. - I'm happy for this happening
Mellow, sweet spot of the night
haha, that punch looked like it hurt

That JT commercial was SO CUTE!!! [You know the one - where he went to meet the fan...]

John Legend is such an incredibly, understated artist - and I'm thrilled that he's not overly poplar, but always beloved.

okay… his wife is under a spotlight, watching on. This is absolutely beautiful

Best Rock Song - here we go people.

We get to see Sir Paul McCartney accept an award
Except Dave Grohl won't shut up
I still need to see Sound City

T-Swift!

I do adore her. And that dress. Hot damn.
Still one of the nicest artists I've ever met - I love that story!
And I just honed in on some of these lyrics… holding it together, I swear.

I don't think I love Katy Perry's Covergirl Commercials
I have finally come in to my love of JT. It took YEARS, but man, I just love this guy… even if he's now the spokesman for a ton of companies
Every girl is screaming right now. Yay Bruno!!!

And then, there's Pink and Nate and... well, you know that's just going to amazing.

of course she's flying - this is Pink, after all
yes, she is really singing. Listen to her breath.
Roomie just said she made cupcakes for a crew on a movie set once, awwww
Okay, here's the duet. Sweet.
Anyone else agree that Fun. didn't follow up appropriately to last year's success?
Nate's squeaking. Kill it Pink - make this awesome.
And she delivers. I would've never expected this out of the pink that brought us "there she goes"

This is a really cute way to present the nominees for Best Pop Solo

is Justin not there??
Lorde, aww. She's kinda adorable.

What's happening with this Motley Crue song?? And the cute dogs!!

We all guessed wrong, it was for a… realtor?

And… JT is back… and it's really cute.

Black Sabbath!!

Come on… Ozzy.
RINGO!!!
- sparkly suit, awww
- He's still got it - though his mic is soooo low
- So impressed they're letting him so the whole song for "Photograph"

Jamie, you lookin' goodddddd
So, I'm confused… Ringo was on. Where was the Paul reunion?… are we getting more Beatles tonight???

HELL YEAH "HOLY GRAIL!!!"
Beyonce is trying so hard to not cry right now
"Daddy got a gold sippy cup for you!!"

Kacey Musgraves, oh honey, what are you doing?

She is going SUPER country right now. I can appreciate it, but you didn't need to. You're more badass than this normally!! I can understand and apple
I WANT THOSE BOOTS

Pepsi commercial… I just… WHAT???????

this is actually the half time of the grammys. Way to fricking GO!!!

Nice trustee awards. Hats off.
UMG - President's Merit Award - Luncio. Cheers.
Julia Roberts??? I love when worlds collide.

Okay, back to the Beatles. More, please.

Paul and Rinog - I might cry for real.
PEACE AND LOOVVVEEE!!! RINGO!!!

Blake Shelton! Ready for my Country Freak Out??
How did they just drop the bombshell that NPH is going to be on this broadcast??
Note to self - hear everything by every one of these lifetime achievement award winners

And here we go - country. Yes.

Big country love to Nashville right now
Imagine Dragons is really into this!! So cool!
Why do they keep cutting to Ringo? It's very weird. Cool, but weird.
Glad to see everyone standing and enjoying and respecting this!
B and Jay appreciate this. Classy moo's

Martina and Zac - waiting for a rap award to be presented

Oh, presenters that actually fit - go figure…
Well dang Kasey… did NOT see that one coming!!

Wow they don't just cut you off at the grammys… they drown you OUT
NPH!! NPH!! NPH!!

"Get Lucky" may be winning best performance, just saying… this is so cool! Look at that set!!

And Stevie Wonder is there?? He somehow fits so well into this jam.
BRING ON THE ROBOTS!!!
And naturally, Daft Punk is controlling this jaunt!!
Steven Tyler, STOP.
I do love that everyone in the audience is into this whole performance though!!!

Cyndi Lauper!!

you still a cray cray chick and i love you

Carol King and Sara are just beautiful together!! Dueling Pianos anyone? Ha, kidding, kidding. I know there's all just love here!

I love that Sara is a little starstruck!!!

So, Jared Leto was nice.

Metallica and Lang Lang… I didn't see this coming either.
Also, where's Metallica been?
Great Convo:

Amanda C: This is my favorite Metallica song and I'm not hating the addition of the piano
Jessica K: Technically, Metallica was a decent segue due to Hetfield's work with Reed in Lulu... which I still maintain was an abomination, but that's neither here nor there...
Janelle H: I'm not hating it as it going on. At first, it was just tough to cope with the drag (that's how I generally feel about anytime Metallica slows down), but they kicked it by the end.

DAFT PUNK!! I can respect that as Record of the Year
"I'm with a Mexican Monkey"

I remember the first time I heard "Same Love". (1) I thought Macklemore was a whole other person, like, some other famous rapper - I had no idea. (2) I was waiting on a Subway, and all was quiet except the music coming into my ears (thanks for the free download, Starbucks!) and I really focused on the lyrics. I think I was in tears by the time I sat on the train. How amazing is this song? And now, seeing this... thank you Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Madonna, and Queen Latifa. This is beautiful.

NOW THAT is how you use "Brave" in a commercial!!! Screw tablets.

god DAMN it, it was still a Windows commercial!!!

Grammy Foundation Time

I thought Ryan was just the spokesperson - he's the honorary chairman? Do I need to re-consider this guy?
Music Educator Award - I know a handful of people who need this. Mrs. B, I'm looking your way! Check out GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com

SAD TIME

Lang Lang's back. No words to drive us to tears this year apparently. Van Cliburn
George Jones, Richie Havens, Magic Slim, Chris Kelly, Hugh McKracken, Phil Ramone, Cory Montieth!, Ray Dolby, Lou Reed, Phil Everly
- RIP

Okay, deep breath - Miranda and Billy Joe

this is amazing!!!

This was supposed to be over at 11:30 - ha, yeah right.
Yoko, Olivia Harrison… and Alicia Keys - I know they had to get Alicia on the show, but… kinda strange combo?

I kind of hope Daft Punk wins so Yoko Ono has to interact with them
Daft Punk!! Daft Punk!! Daft Punk!!! I really want them to interact with Yoko oddly, lol
Think they're crying under those helmets?
CLASSY Same Love shout out too. Wow, I love them more and more all the time.
NIN and Queens of the Stone Age, with Lindsey Buckingham and Dave Grohl. Man oh man, what an ending!!

Thank you all for a WONDERFUL Grammys night. It's been a blast live posting with y'all and enjoying an incredible night of music! =)

FESTIVAL ALERT: Symbiosis Gathering

8/27/2013

When you find a band that likes you and lets you listen to their music before it's out there in the world, and that just generally keeps in touch with you, you hold on to them! Hence why once again I'd like to spotlight Rosin Coven.

This time around, they'll be a part of a big festival in Oakdale, California from September 19th - 23rd. They'll be bringing their Edwardian Ball Roadshow to the mix, and I'm sure putting on the most must-see show of the weekend!

Make sure you get your tickets now and join this thing - it looks absolutely amazing!!